TSUSY (Tsunami Simulation System) is a tool developed at IH Cantabria which allows us to carry out real time numerical propagation of tsunamis.

When an earthquake generates a tsunami, IH Cantabria is able to offer, thanks to TSUSY, relevant data in a short period time. The software provides maps including travel time for the tsunami wave from the epicenter to the coast, as well as an order of magnitude of the maximum wave height to be expected in the different areas affected by the tsunami.

TSUSY Maximum wave heights and travel times (Tsunami in Japan March 11, 2011)

To carry out these simulations, TSUSY uses the parameters characterizing the earthquake provided by the USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) as soon as the earthquake takes place. With them, the tool performs the C3 model, also developed at IH Cantabria, based on COMCOT. This model solves "Shallow Water Equations" in a series of meshes with a global bathymetry, to calculate the results anywhere in the world.

What is the water level reached once every 100 years on a beach? How many hours per yeardoes the supratidal zone of an estuary become flooded?

To answer these questions, IH Cantabria has developed methodologies, databases, statistics and numerical tools to determine the flood risk on the coast due to the joint action of marine dynamics (waves, wind, tidal), river and tsunamis.

IH Cantabria has extensive experience in Spain (having been awarded the National Environmental Prize in 1998 for the "Atlas of the Spanish Coast Flood") in statistical evaluations and downscaling of quantified statistical models. The researchers at IH Cantabria have conducted numerous studies for consulting firms and different governments over the last 20 years. Recently, IH Cantabria has concluded the coastal high spatial resolution Flood Atlas for Spain and Brazil using 60 years of tidal wave and weather reanalysis databases.

Relevant projects

- Transfer Methodologies and Management Support Tools for the Brazilian coast

DATE: 2009-2012

CLIENT: AECID. Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, Ministry of Brazil do Meio Ambiente and Ministry of Planning, Brazil Orçamento e Gestão

TASKS: Developing a flood Atlas and the generation of a database for reanalysis along the Brazilian coast, validated with satellite and tide gauge data. The study helped determine the sea level for any point on the coast and the flood level (run-up) on beaches along the Brazilian coast. This work is part of the international cooperation project (SMC-Brazil), which aims to improve technological transfer of the Coastal Modelling System (SMC) and its adaptation to the Brazilian coast.

- Flood Atlas of the Spanish coast (C3E)

DATE: 2009-2011

CLIENT: Spanish Climate Change Office (MAGRAMA, Spain)

TASKS: Preparation of flood risk Atlas of the coast of Spain because of the dynamic sea wave, tidal and meteorological and astronomical rise in the average level of the sea. The atlas is part of a project of the tares C3E (Climate Change in the Spanish Coast)

CLIENT: Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development (AECID), Ministry of Environment of El Salvador

TASKS: Development of an Atlas on coastal flooding in El Salvador showing worst case scenarios and "credible" tsunami generation seismotectonic potential sources within the local, regional and Pacific Basin. Local and global flood mapping.

Transfer is a European project (FP6) with over 30 research centers, universities and European agencies. The project also includes end users (coastal management entities in local, regional and national government agencies such as civil protection departments, planning authorities, etc.).

The project aims to better understand tsunami processes in the Atlantic-Mediterranean European region, to assess the hazard, vulnerability and risk on European coasts; identify strategies to reduce the risk of tsunamis and establish the basis for an early warning system against tsunamis on European coasts.

As part of this project, IH Cantabria has developed and validated a tsunami propagation model (C3), established methodologies and guidelines for mapping flood probability, assessed the hazard, vulnerability and risk in Cadiz and Balear islands and proposing mitigation measures. The project also included the study of resonance problems in the port of Palma de Mallorca due to tsunamis.

IH Cantabria is aware of the complexity, importance and fragility of coastal areas, which is why many researchers are dedicated to studying the vulnerability of coastal areas facing different natural and anthropogenic hazards, such as water pollution, erosion coastal oil spills, river and coastal flooding, tsunamis or the threats associated with climate change.

The multidisciplinary approach at IH Cantabria has enabled the development of a specific methodology to analyze risks from various threats, taking into account not only the probability of occurrence of the threat and uncertainty, vulnerability of the coastal system in an integrated manner, understanding the interrelationships between the human, environmental and socio-economic and spatial-temporal variations.

Given the importance of connecting science and management in the field of coastal risks, the results provide easy ily accessible information to allow institutional strengthening through the transfer of scientific and technological advances and thereby contributing to the management of risk with the best information available.